XC Tries to Keep Momentum Going In High Point

North Carolina A&T's Camille Martin continues to lead the women's cross country team. Photo by Kevin L. Dorsey

Courtesy: NC A&T Sports Information

Related Links

GREENSBORO (October 13, 2017) – The North Carolina A&T cross country team is coming off a great performance in the Cedric Walker HBCU XC Challenge this past weekend in which the men’s team placed first and the women placed second.

The Aggie men have won two meets in a row. The Aggies are looking to keep the momentum going heading into this Friday’s VertCross Invitational hosted by High Point University at Ivey M. Redmon Sports Complex in Kernersville, N.C. The women race at 4 p.m., in 6k competition, while the men will get started at 4:45 p.m.

This is the second year that HPU has hosted the event, but it is the first year the Aggies are participating. It will be the first 6k event for the women this season. They usually run 5k events. The extra distance will boost their endurance, hopefully giving the ladies an edge heading into the MEAC Cross Country Championships in Smyrna, Del., on Oct. 28.

“We spend a lot of time with our preparation, and everything we do is planned with the MEAC and NCAA regionals in mind,” said N.C. A&T’s Duane Ross, director of track and field programs. “Our athletes are also excited about having a good quality competition this close to home.”

There will be 17 colleges/universities competing in the event. Some of those teams the Aggies have faced this season such as Elon, Furman, Marshall, Winston-Salem State, and UNC Wilmington. Some of the others attending are Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, East Tennessee State and Virginia Military Institute

Ivey M. Redmon Sports Complex is a 2k loop which will make it great for spectating and following any position changes during the races. It is also a mostly flat and open course. It will be a change from the courses the Aggies traditionally run on. It gives the runners an opportunity to keep an eye on the rest of the field and pace themselves with each loop.